Care International UK’s Lend With Care loan platform bringing capitalism to the world’s poor September 28, 2015 Most people are familiar with the Lend Lease arrangement between the US and the UK during the Second World War, wherein the US government provided Britain and other allied nations with supplies to support the war effort. Fewer will be aware of the food parcels that US citizens generously sent across the pond to [...]
Why the advent of an “expert committee” doesn’t make Corbynomics any less scary September 28, 2015 Jeremy Corbyn and his shadow chancellor John McDonnell are desperate to be seen as economically credible. As part of this, on Sunday Labour announced the creation of a new economics committee made up of the economic darlings of the left: Thomas Piketty, Danny Blanchflower, Ann Pettifor, Joseph Stiglitz, Mariana Mazzucato and Simon Wren-Lewis. Make [...]
Europe is the sick man of the globe: Britain will thrive away from its enfeebling grip September 28, 2015 In the 1970s, Britain was sick. It suffered from endemic inflation, high unemployment, volatile growth and structural decline. Eyes wandered jealously across the Channel to the fast-growing European economies. It is little wonder that some thought the patriotic cause was to join forces with the European Economic Community. Today, the economic wheel has turned [...]
As world leaders clash over how best to deal with Syria, is the West right to be more tolerant towards Assad? September 28, 2015 Kamal Alam, fellow at RUSI and Syrian military analyst advising the British Army on Syrian affairs, says Yes Three years ago, Bashar Jaafari – the suave Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations – slammed the West on the UN Security Council floor for trying to use Syria in games similar to the ones TE Lawrence [...]
Labour needs to get excited about business – The City View September 28, 2015 Labour’s uneasy relationship with business has left scars on the party’s back, and this weekend old wounds were reopened as Jeremy Corbyn echoed his predecessor and launched an attack on Boots. Ed Miliband famously exchanged (verbal) blows with the global chief executive of the pharmacy giant, Stefano Pessina, back in February when the Boots boss [...]
The West’s failed Syria policy: Why it’s time to do nothing September 27, 2015 When I worked in Washington, perhaps the dreariest job of all was covering congressional hearings. It is a task that only the interns end up doing, and then under protest. In fact, in my office, we literally drew straws for the ordeal, with the short straw having to spend a numbing eight hours or so [...]
It’s in London’s self-interest to support faster growth across the UK’s regions September 27, 2015 The Northern Powerhouse continues to garner much media attention, but we cannot ignore other areas of the country, and in reality we should be calling it the “Regional Powerhouse”. Just over a week ago, we saw the official opening of the newly-revamped train station at New Street in Birmingham. The five year project, costing £750m, [...]
Immigrants are fuel for the UK tech sector – but slow-moving bureaucracy is keeping them out September 27, 2015 The UK’s tech star is certainly rising. From the growing number of unicorn valuations, to the ever-larger venture capital cheques, British entrepreneurs are now commanding global attention. Yet much has been said about the UK’s poor track record in harnessing technology and science talent. This is now being addressed – Britain recently became the [...]
As the Labour Party meets for its annual conference, has the ascent of Jeremy Corbyn tarnished its brand forever? September 27, 2015 Laura Swire, director of Hanover Communications, says Yes. History would suggest not. For those with memories of the 1980s, we are in familiar terrain, with Labour’s leader once again posing a threat to national and economic security. Unilateralism, anti-Nato posing and fantasy economics, all deeply unpopular as recent polls show, are back in vogue. However, [...]
A good ancestor: Firms need to take a long, hard look at legacy September 24, 2015 Here in Britain, this year we have been enjoying celebrating 800 years since King John signed Magna Carta. It is the foundation stone for constitutions the world over – and somewhat dwarfs my native New Zealand’s 180 years of constitutional history. The Magna Carta was nothing less than a catalyst which has inspired people [...]